Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Hybrids
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 03-10-2009, 04:38 PM   #1 (permalink)
In hypermiler central
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UC Berkeley
Posts: 230

[SOLD] Highway Warrior - '00 Mazda Protege LX 1.6L Manual
90 day: 35.93 mpg (US)

Basic Miata - '06 Mazda Miata Touring
90 day: 30.93 mpg (US)
Thanks: 55
Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts
Send a message via AIM to 1337
2010 Honda Insight: share your opinions

The price on the Insight was just released, and it comes in at $20,470 with the destination charge.

2010 Honda Insight officially priced at $20,470*

Here's what I think:

At just over 40 MPG (EPA), the Insight is no Prius, not even a Metro, in terms of efficiency. It is, however, relatively affordable, fun to drive, and hip, according to most reviews. Even so, 43 MPG highway is pretty unimpressive for a car that's designed to be an efficient hybrid. In comparison to the 2009 Honda Fit (33 MPG hwy), the Insight is reasonably good.

The Insight draws heavily on the Fit parts bin, so I bet much of the price difference between the Insight and the Fit is in the IMA hybrid system. Given that IMA is a pretty mild hybrid system, IMA is not very relevant to the MPG at highway speeds. Therefore, the Insight's 43MPG highway rating is primarily the result of good aerodynamics, a small gas engine, and tall gearing.

With that in mind, I'd like to see a $15k Fit with some aero improvements, tall gearing, Honda's 1.3L gas engine, and no electric motor. Said an other way, chuck the IMA system out of the Insight and build me an aerodynamic, light, affordable highway car.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 03-10-2009, 04:56 PM   #2 (permalink)
Dartmouth 2010
 
SVOboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,447

Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 122 Times in 90 Posts
Send a message via AIM to SVOboy Send a message via MSN to SVOboy Send a message via Yahoo to SVOboy
I don't think we should jump to conclude that the mileage will suck too quickly. The car gets 61 mpg US in the japanese test cycle, so it's clearly up to that kind of mileage (and better) for drivers like us.

  Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 05:33 PM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 28

silverciv - '01 Honda Civic EX 2dr
90 day: 36.13 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
From reading reviews, I think it is safe to say that the US test cycle is killing the mileage estimates. Many non-hypermilers are getting in the 60s just by following the eco-assist. I think that given the price, size, efficiency and Honda reliability, this is an incredible car. If you compare it with a Civic EX Auto (with Nav), you don't really pay any extra for the hybrid drive train which means you are saving money on the first fill-up. Of course, it isn't extraordinarily cheap and it probably can't get the same kind of fuel economy as a Prius but, it is going to get hybrids into the hands of alot of people.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 06:26 PM   #4 (permalink)
In hypermiler central
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UC Berkeley
Posts: 230

[SOLD] Highway Warrior - '00 Mazda Protege LX 1.6L Manual
90 day: 35.93 mpg (US)

Basic Miata - '06 Mazda Miata Touring
90 day: 30.93 mpg (US)
Thanks: 55
Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts
Send a message via AIM to 1337
SVOboy-
Yeah, you're probably right. I wouldn't be surprised if 55-60MPG is doable on US highways in an '09 Insight. Even so, based on how well you've done with your VX-powered CRX, I bet Honda could make a non-hybrid, low-drag car on a Fit platform with a tiny gas engine that could come close to your CRX's MPG. Without IMA and with a spartan interior, my proposed 2010 Fit CRX HF Value Edition could probably manage 55mpg highway with tall gearing and cost closer to 13k.

jmonroe-
I see your point, but we all know that pricing can get pretty bloated with options like Nav. Personally, I want a stripped-down interior, possibly without A/C, and I'll enjoy the reduced price and curb weight.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 07:02 PM   #5 (permalink)
Pokémoderator
 
cfg83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,864

1999 Saturn SW2 - '99 Saturn SW2 Wagon
Team Saturn
90 day: 40.49 mpg (US)
Thanks: 439
Thanked 531 Times in 357 Posts
1337 -

My only beef with all hybrids is that I'm a manual tranny snob. Ignore the EPA. The real test will (as always) be with the Hypermilers. I wouldn't bet on the Insight beating a Prius, but I'll be happy if it does.

As far as options go, I think the Honda manufacturing model isn't geared for adding/subtracting lots of options. Go to the Honda website and try to configure a Civic Coupe with A/C (for "car-guests", not me) but without power window and locks. Can't do it :



I can, however, do this with a (soon to be defunct?) Pontiac Vibe.

CarloSW2

.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	civic_coupe.10cp.jpg
Views:	495
Size:	87.3 KB
ID:	2892  
__________________

What's your EPA MPG? Go Here and find out!
American Solar Energy Society
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 08:59 PM   #6 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,527

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 65.39 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,078
Thanked 6,973 Times in 3,609 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337 View Post
With that in mind, I'd like to see a $15k Fit with some aero improvements, tall gearing, Honda's 1.3L gas engine, and no electric motor. Said an other way, chuck the IMA system out of the Insight and build me an aerodynamic, light, affordable highway car.
I like your thinking.

I wonder if anyone outside of this forum thinks that way: Buy a $15k Fit (or a used '09 next year for less), spend an additional $2 - 4k on professional-looking (if you care) aeromods plus a new 5th gear to get it into the high 30's / low 40's on the highway.

Too bad the motor swap option isn't really an option.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 09:48 PM   #7 (permalink)
Dartmouth 2010
 
SVOboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,447

Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 122 Times in 90 Posts
Send a message via AIM to SVOboy Send a message via MSN to SVOboy Send a message via Yahoo to SVOboy
We need a professional aeromodding shop to open up somewhere,
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 10:45 PM   #8 (permalink)
In hypermiler central
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UC Berkeley
Posts: 230

[SOLD] Highway Warrior - '00 Mazda Protege LX 1.6L Manual
90 day: 35.93 mpg (US)

Basic Miata - '06 Mazda Miata Touring
90 day: 30.93 mpg (US)
Thanks: 55
Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts
Send a message via AIM to 1337
MetroMPG-

I like that idea, but I really don't care about interior room, nor do I care about looks. If I were going to spend that cash on a used car, I'd find a first gen Insight manual. Or, I could even buy a Metro or a CRX.

My point is, I'd like to see a new, stock car with the interior specs of a Versa Base, the aero-optimization of the Insight (new or old Insight), the handling of the Fit, and the low-displacement of the 1.0L Metro.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 10:47 PM   #9 (permalink)
Dartmouth 2010
 
SVOboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,447

Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 122 Times in 90 Posts
Send a message via AIM to SVOboy Send a message via MSN to SVOboy Send a message via Yahoo to SVOboy
How do you like the new Ford Fiesta for those specs?
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 10:52 PM   #10 (permalink)
In hypermiler central
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UC Berkeley
Posts: 230

[SOLD] Highway Warrior - '00 Mazda Protege LX 1.6L Manual
90 day: 35.93 mpg (US)

Basic Miata - '06 Mazda Miata Touring
90 day: 30.93 mpg (US)
Thanks: 55
Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts
Send a message via AIM to 1337
SVOboy-
Good call. I'll be first in line to test drive one. Hopefully an ecomodder will buy one so we can all see what kind of MPG a skilled driver can manage.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Honda Insight Concept to Debut at Paris Int. Auto Show SVOboy EcoModder Blog Discussion 32 04-17-2009 10:45 AM
New Honda Insight Already Beating Expectations SVOboy EcoModder Blog Discussion 2 02-25-2009 09:21 AM
2010 Honda Insight with Mugen Zero-Lift overclk Aerodynamics 4 02-23-2009 01:49 PM
2010 honda insight joesgot4 Hybrids 1 11-21-2008 09:35 PM
Opinions: CRX HF, Honda Insight or Keep Suzuki Swift? dunhamjr General Efficiency Discussion 17 06-18-2008 05:14 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com